(Newser)
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Google is offering to help Yahoo thwart Microsoft’s attempts at a hostile takeover, the Wall Street Journal reports. After Microsoft announced its $44.6-billion bid, Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt called Yahoo’s Jerry Yang on Friday to bolster talk of an ad search alliance, support Yahoo’s efforts to find a higher bidder, or help the struggling search giant remain independent.

Google panned its chief rival on its blog today, arguing Microsoft’s pursuit of Yahoo “raises troubling questions” in light of its anti-trust track record. Microsoft retorted a Yahoo acquisition would challenge Google’s ever-powerful business. Google won’t offer its own bid, but could help AT&T, News Corp., or Time Warner mount their own. Yahoo has no clear favorites, the Journal says.